Cyclades is the name of the group of islands in the Aegean Sea that consist of some of the most beautiful and worldwide famous islands of Greece like Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, Ios, Naxos and Sifnos. The dreamy scenery of Cyclades islands is formed of beaches with blue sea and golden sand, white washed houses standing on rocks glimmering in bright light and some of the most elegant hotels in Greece.

The islands of Cyclades enjoy a typical Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot, dry summers with beneficiary cool winds with almost constant sunlight throughout the year. The most characteristic kind of winds during summer is those of “meltemia”, strong winds blowing from the north during middle of July until middle of August. The warmest period is during July and August with the temperature ranging between 29 up to 35 C and it is the most crowded period for the islands with thousands of tourists.

There is evidence of prehistoric settlements in several islands in Cyclades proving that they have been inhabited since at least 7000 BC. The major prehistoric remnants were found in Santorini where there is a settlement excavated in Akrotiri village that is connected with Minoan civilization of Crete. Since then, the history of the islands of Cyclades goes along in time with the major mainland civilization of Mycenae and by the middle of the 5th century BC the islands were members of a fully fledged Athenian empire that placed their most significant centre in the island of Delos, next to Mykonos. Cycladic art born in the days of prosperity has offered many pieces of work exhibited in museums and still being imitated by moderns. After the decline of Athens, the islands have seen many invaders and have been occupied several times from Romans to constant pirate invasions, under Venetian Rule in the 12th century, occupied by Ottomans in 15th century and Italians during the 1st World War.

The group of islands of Cyclades is located in the centre of Aegean Sea forming a circle around the sacred island of Delos next to Mykonos, as the meaning of the name implies. Cyclades derives from the Greek word cyclos meaning circle. Cyclades cover an area of 2.572 sq. km. populated by approximately 120.000 residents. The major islands of Cyclades are: Mykonos, Delos, Santorini, Thirassia, Paros, Ios, Amorgos, Anafi, Antiparos, Andros, Folegandros, Ios, Kea, Kimolos, Milos, Naxos, Serifos, Sifnos, Sikinos, Syros, Tinos, Koufonisia, Iraklia, Schinousa, Donousa. Apart from the inhabited islands there are numerous uninhabited rocky islets in the Aegean Sea.